“We're exceeding our goals,” says Doug Stern, president of SilkLofts. “We believed all along that by delivering a better product and lifestyle, we would attract residents to Bayonne. That's exactly what's happening.”

Homes at SilkLofts offer a variety of floor plans ranging from 568 to more than 1,300 square feet at monthly rental rates starting at $1,800. The homes combine 19^th-century restored elements such as exposed heavy timber columns and brick with modern finishes and appointments that innovatively meld it into the 21^st century.

“The Maidenform factory has been an iconic building in Bayonne for over 100 years,” says Stern. “We've embraced the historic charm of the building and used it as a foundation for a new urban residential destination that rivals similarly-inspired residences in areas like Brooklyn, but at a price point that offers considerable consumer value.”

The loft residences include 12-to-20-foot ceiling heights, mahogany front doors, exposed brick and wood beams, bamboo and oak gunstock wood floors, gourmet kitchens with Quartz countertops and chef islands, and washer and dryers. The lofts include natural light through newly-installed, oversized energy efficient argon-filled factory windows.

The developer has incorporated creative amenities. An outdoor, landscaped pocket park features an herb garden, barbeque, fire pit and a pizza oven. There's also an on-site fitness center, secured on-site parking and a welcoming lobby with historic photos of the original Maidenform factory.

“The definition of luxury is changing, particularly in urban areas,” says Stern. “We've shifted away from cold lobbies and theater rooms to more socially-interactive spaces and uses where residents can connect with each other. That was my goal for the pocket park, fire pit and pizza oven. I wanted to create a comfortable, casual setting where neighbors would gather and socialize. We're delighted that our residents are already taking full advantage of it.”

SilkLofts has been designed to receive LEED Silver Certification (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) and is being built in accordance with U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Among the green features are the use of bamboo flooring, energy efficient appliances and recycled materials.